Riyadh – The Ambassador of the Union of the Comoros to Saudi Arabia, Al-Habib Abbas Abdullah, said that his country has closed down Iranian organizations that were pretending to perform charitable works, while seeking to extend the Shiite ideology in the islands.

Speaking to Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Abdullah said that around three months ago, Comoros President Azali Assoumani has ordered the closure of all Iranian bureaus working under charity pretexts. The ambassador added that Iran has entered the Comoros Islands through so-called charitable organizations, but was trying instead to spread Shiite ideologies in the country.

Abdullah added that his country was currently seeking to attract Arab and Saudi charitable organizations to fulfill the needs of the population, in the wake of the difficult economic situation.

He noted that the Comoros was a small Arab country with a population not exceeding one million people, highlighting the importance of Arab support to face any conspiracy against it.

The ambassador said that relations between Saudi Arabia and the Comoros were very strong, adding that the people of his country have shown great appreciation and respect to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques, King Salman bin Abdulaziz, and to the entire Saudi population.

He also highlighted the important role assumed by the Kingdom in promoting the islands’ educational sector by receiving Comoros students in Saudi higher educational institutions. The ambassador also valued the existing strategic cooperation on the security and defense levels, noting that an agreement on defense cooperation was recently signed between the two countries.

Abdullah called on Saudi investors and businessmen to explore the promising investment opportunities in his country, including the rich fishing and agricultural grounds, adding that the Comoros laws present many facilities and incentives to Arab investors.